Which factory ammo for .357 & .44 Mags?

[tbige]

A two-part question:

Tuesday I'll be getting a .357 revolver with a 4" barrel and will shoot factory ammo, primarily in .38 special to keep both cost and recoil down.

So first I'd like your advice on a good, widely-available inexpensive target-plinking round in .38. Next, if it isn't asking the impossible, I want to select a decent defensive factory round in .357 that is relatively modest in the flash/bang/recoil category -- and hopefully doesn't require too huge an adjustment in sighting from the .38.

Come to think of it, if I'm not too greedy, I have the same question about .44 Special and .44 mag.

Many thanks for the help.

 

[John Ross]

You don't say where you live. If you are near a major metropolitan area, I'd find a local commercial loader. Ask around at a gun show and find one with a good rep.

Go to http://www.starlinebrass.com/pricelist.html

and buy new unprimed brass in whatever quantity you deem sufficient.

Give the brass to your commercial loader and tell him you want cast SWC plinking loads.

8 Unique with 250 in 44 spec/mag, 25 296 with 250 (full power) in 44 mag.

I don't shoot much 38/357; ask around for an accurate light load.

For defense use Federal 125 JHP in .357 and Cor-Bon 165 in .44.

John Ross

 

[tbige]

After visiting several shops, how does this combination sound for economical, flat-shooting, low recoil-noise-flash:

.38 -- Winchester 125+P (JHP)

.357 -- Winchester 110 (JHP)?

 

[OH25shooter]

For targets in my 38's I shoot Winchester 125 gr. JSP or 130 gr. FMJ. The cheapest I've found is at a local Meijer store for $8.50 (it just went up 50 cents). Isn't Cabela's building a store in Wheeling? You should have a nice selection there.

 

[tbige]

Cabela's is scheduled to open in August, about five miles up the road (technically, Dallas Pike, WV). I'm considering retiring so I'll have adequate time to browse, peruse, test, feel, dream, occasionally buy...

'Till then, I buy most of my ammo at Walmart, which is where I found the .38 +P round I mentioned above. Discovered the 110 .357 at my dealer for $14-something (come to think of it, I better check the quantity of the box, thought I believe Winchester's site says it's 50).

Would love to shoot the same weight bullet in each caliber, but that'd mean the 125 in .357, and that's just too much flash and bang for my taste.

 

[000Buck]

For the 44mag, try some UMC. That stuff is super hot!

 

[Ala Dan]

Probably, some Remington-UMC factory fodder for
either wouldn't be a bad idea? Otherwise, if $$$
is a problem, then I would turned to handload's;
for target work.

On the defensive side, the Remington 125 grain
JHP's worked pretty well, in .357 magnums with a
4" barrel. And the 240 gain JHP from any of the
commerical manufactuer's should work well in the
big ole' .44.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[STORMIN29]

ammo

I about went broke shooting my .44. mag until I started handloading. I used to shot the heck out of UMC 180 grain @1,600 FPs and 1,000#'s ME. Sure flamecuts the top strap bad. I can reload costly ammo with Golddots, Silvertips etc. or I can go into a target/plinking round with lead bullets and reduced loads, really cheap. Same goes for the .357/.38, alot of money to save and alot more ammo to shoot alot more often. I personally like the idea that I have control over my load and can tailor it to a certain picky gun
that I have. If you don't plan on shooting alot find a cheap supplier, there are many online also.